these things S. Although we believe that the souls of men are immortal and everlasting yet if we should think that our bodies should by death be utterly destroyed for ever then must we needs be wholly discouraged 1 Cor. 14 14. 17 18 19. for that wanting the one part of our selves we should never entirely possess perfect joy and immortalitie we do therefore certainly believe not only that our selves when we depart out of this life being delivered from the Company of our bodies do by and by flie up pure and whole into heaven to Christ but Luke 16. 22. 23. 43 Rom. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 15 42 43 44. 53 54. Phil 3 21. 1 Thes 4. 13 14 15 16 171 also that our bodies shall at length be restored to a better state of life and joyned again to their souls and so we shall wholly be made perfectly and fully blessed that is to say we dout not that both in our bodies and soules we shall enjoy eternity immortality and most blessed life that shal never in everlasting continuance Ioh. 11. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 5 8. 1 Thes 4. 13 14 15 of time be changed This hope comforteth us in misery endued with this hope we not only patiently suffer and bear the incommodities and cumbrances that light upon us in this life but also the very departure from life and the sorrows of death for we are throughly perswaded that death is not a destruction that endeth and consumeth all things but a guide for us to heaven that setteth us in the way of a quiet easie blessed and everlasting life And therefore 2 Cor. 5. â— 2. Ephe. 2. 19. gladly and cheerfully we run yea we flye out from the bonds of our bodies as from a Prison to heaven as to the common Town and City of God and men M. Doth the beleiving of these things availe us to any other end S. We are put in mind that we cumber not nor intangle our selves with uncertain transitory and fraile things that we bend not our eye to earthly glory and felicity but inhabite this world as strangers and ever minding our removing Heb. 13. 13 14 1 Pet. 2. 11. that we long upward for heaven and heavenly things where we shall in bliss enjoy enternal life M. Sith thou hast before said that the Mat. 25 34. 41 46. wicked shall rise againe in sort farr differing from the godly that is to say to eternal misery and everlasting death why doth the Creed make mention only of life everlasting and of Hell no mention at all S. This is the Confession of the Christian faith which pertaineth to none but to the godly and therefore rehearseth only those things that are fit for Mat. 16. 16. Luke 24. 47. Ioh. 3. 15 16. Rom. 4. 16. to comfort namely the most large gifts which God will give to them that be his and therefore here is not recited what punishments are provided for them that be out of the Kingdome of God M. Now thou hast declared the Creed that is the summe of the Christian Faith tell mee what profit get we of this Faith S. Righteousness before God by which we are made heirs of eternal life Rom. 3. 21 22. Gal. 2. 16. M. Doth not then our own godliness toward God and leading of our life honestly and holily among men justifie us before God S. Of this we have said somewhat already after the declaring of the Law and in other places to this effect if any man were able to live uprightly according to the precise rule of the Law of God Rom. 10. 5. Gal 3. 12. Gen. 6. 5. 8. 11. Rom. 7. 14 15. Gal. 2. 16. Rom. 11. 6. he should worthily be counted justified by his good works But seeing we are all most farr from that perfection of life yea and be so oppressed with conscience of our sins we must take another course and find another way how God may receive us into favour then by our deserving M. What way S. We must flie to the mercy of God Rom. 3. 24. 4. 4. 7. 16. Ephe. 2. 4 5. 2 Tim. 1 9. Tit. 3. 4 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 2 10. whereby he freely embraceth us with love and good will in Christ without any of our deserving or respect of works both forgiving us our sins and so giving us the righteousness of Christ by faith in Him that for the same Christs righteousness he so accepteth us as if it were our own To Gods mercy therefore through Christ we ought to impute all our justification M. How do we know it to be thus S. By the Gospel which containeth the Promises of God by Christ to the which when we adjoyn faith that is to Rom. 4 3 5. 14. 16. 20 24. Gal. 2. 16. 20. 3. 11. Heb. 10. 38. say an assured perswasion of minde and stedfast confidence of Gods good will such as hath been set out in the whole Creed we do as it were take state and possession of this justification that I speak of M. Dost thou not then say that faith is the principal cause of justification so as by the merit of Faith we are counted righteous before God S. No for that were to set Faith in the place of Christ but the Spring-head of Ephe. 1. 4 5 6. c. 2 4 5. Tit. 3. 4 5. 6. this justification is the mercy of God and is offered to us by the Gospel and received Mar 1 14 15. Rom 4. 16. 19 20 21 24 Ioh. 12. Rom. 3. 22. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Heb 9. 14 of us by faith as with a hand M. Thou sayest then that faith is not the cause but the instrument of justâ—fication for that it embraceth Christ which is our Justification coupling us with so streight bond to him that it maketh us partakers of all his good things S. Yea truly M. But can this Justification be severed from good works that he that hath it can want them S. No for by faith we receive Christ such as he delivereth himself unto us but he doth not only set us at liberty from sins and death and make us at one with God but also with the divine inspiration and vertue of the Holy Ghost Rom. 8. 1. 9. 10. 12 13. doth regenerate and newly forme us to the endeavour of innocency and holiness which we call newness of life M. Thou sayest then that Justice Faith and good Works do naturally cleave together Rom. 6. 4. Rom. 5 1 2. 1 Cor. 1. 2. 3 Ephe. 3. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 19. 20 21 22. and therefore ought no more to he severed then Christ the Author of them in us can be severed from himself S. It is true M Then this Doctrine of saith doth not withdraw mens minds from godly works and duties S. Nothing less for good Works do stand upon faith as upon their root so Psal 1. 3. Rom. 11. 16. Ephe. 3. 17. Col. 2. 6 7. Tit.
3. 8. farr therefore is faith from withdrawing our hearts from living uprightly that contrariwise it doth most vehemently stir us up to the endeavour of good life yea and so far that he is not truly faithful that doth not also to his power both shun vices and embrace vertues so living Rom. 6. 1 2 3 4. alwayes as one that looketh to give an account M. Therefore tell me plainly how our works be acceptable to God and what rewards be given to them S. In good works two things are principally Deut. 4. 1 2. 12. 32. Mar. 7. 6 7 8 9 10. 17 19. Joh. 15. 10. Rom 9 31 32. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. required First that we do those works that are prescribed by the Law of God Secondly that they be done with that mind and faith which God requireth for no doings or thoughts enterprised or conceived without faith can please God M. Go forward S. It is evident therefore that all Joh. 3. 3 4 5 6. Rom. 9. 31 32 Ephe. 2. 3 Pet. 1. 22 23 works whatsoever we do before that we be born again and renued by the Spirit of God such as may properly be called our own works are faultie for whatsoever shew of gayness and worthiness they represent and give to the eyes of men sith they spring and proceed from a faultie and corrupted heart which God chiefly considereth they cannot but be Rom 8. 5. 6 7. 1 Cor. 1. 19 â—0 3 19. 2 Cor. 1. 12. defiled and corrupted and so grievously offend God such works therefore as evil fruits growing out of an evil tree God despiseth and rejecteth from him M. Can we not therefore prevent God with any works or deservings whereby we may Mat. 7. 18 19. 12 33 35. first provoke him to lâ—ve us and be good unto us S. Surely with none for God loved Rom. 5. 8 10. 11. 35. and chose us in Christ not only when we were his enemies that is sinners but also before the foundations of the world were laid and this is the same Spring head and Original of our Justification wherof 1 Ioh. 4. 9 10 19. Ephe. 1. 4. I speak before M. What thinkest thou of those workâ— which we after that we be recoâ—ciled to Gods favour do by the instinct of the Holy Ghost S. The dutiful works of godliness Rom 12. â— Gal. 5 6. which proceed of faith working by charity are indeed acceptable to God yet not by their own deserving but for that Luke 17. 10. 18. 11 12. 14. he of his liberality vouchsafeth them his favour for though they be derived from the Spirit of God as little streams from the Spring-head yet of our flesh that mingleth it self with them indoing by the way they receive corruption as it were by infection like a river otherwise pure and Isa 64 6. Rom. 7. 14. 17. Gal â— 17. clear is troubled and mudded with mire and slime where through it runneth M How then dost thou say that they please God S. It is faith that procureth Gods favour Rom. 9. 31. 32. Gal 5 6. Heb. 11. 6. Psal 130. 3. 143 2. to our works while it is assured that he will not deal with us after extremity of Law nor call our doings to exact account nor try them as it were with the Square that is He will not in valuing and weighing them use severity but remitting and pardoning all their corruptness for Christs sake and his deservings account them for fully perfect M. Then thou standest still in this that we cannot by merit of Works obtain to be justifiâ—d before God seeing thou thinkest that all doings of men even the perfectest do need pardon S. God himself hath so decreed in his Word and his holy Spirit doth teach us Luke 18. 11. 12 14. Rom. 4. 2. Gal. 2 16. Rom. 2. 20. Psal 143. 2. Iob 4. 18. 15. 14 15 16. 25. 4 5 6. Psal 130. 3. Isa 64. 6. 1 Cor. 4. 4. to pray that he bring us not into Judgement for where righteousness such as God the Judge shall allow ought to be throughly absolute and in all parts and points fully perfect such as is to be directed and tried by the most precise Rule and as it were by the plaine line of Gods Law and Judgement and sith our works even the best of them for that they swarve and differ most farr from the Rule and Prescription of Gods Law and Justice are many wayes to be blamed and condemned we can in no wise be justified before God by works M. Doth not this Doctrine withdraw mens minds from the duties of godliness and make them slacker and slower to good works or at least less chearful and ready to godly endeavours S. No for we may not therefore say that good works are unprofitable or done in vain and without cause for that we obtain not Justification by them for they serve both to the profit of our neighbour and to the glory of God and they Mat. 5 16. 1 Pet. 2. 12. Mat. 12 33. Phil. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 10. do as by certain testimonie assure us of Gods good will towards us and of our love again to God-ward and of our faith and so consequently of our salvation and reason it is that we being redeemed with the blood of Christ the Son of God and having beside innumerable and infinite benefits of God should live and wholly frame our selves after the will and appointment Rom. 14 7 8. 1 Cor. 6. 20 2 Cor. 5 15 1 Thes 5. 10. Mat. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 12. of our Redeemer and so shew our selves mindfull and thankful to the Author of our salvation and by our example procure and win others unto him The man that calleth those thoughts to mind may sufficiently rejoyce in his good endeavours and works M. But God doth allure us to good doing with certain rewards both in this life and in the life to come and doth Covenant with us as it were for certaine wages S. That reward as I have said is not Mat 5. 12. 10. 41 42. 25 34 35. Ephe. 3. â—0 2 Tim. 1. 9. given to works for their worthiness and rendered to them as recompence for deservings but by the bountifulness of God is freely bestowed upon us without deserving and Justification God doth give us as a gift of his own dear love toward us and of his liberality through Christ When I speak of Gods gift and Rom. 3. 24. 1 Cot. 1. Rom. 3. 24. 11. 6. Gal. 5 4. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Tit. 3 4 5. liberality I mean it free and bountiful without any of our desert or merit that it be Gods meere and sincere liberality which he applieth to our salvation only whom he loveth and which trust in him not hired or procured for wages as it were marchandise of his commodities and benefits used by him for some pâ—ofit to himself requiring again of
his judgment sins are either pardoned or reserved By his strength sinfull flesh is subdued and Rom 8. 4 5. c. 13 14. c 26. Act 2. 4. Cor. 12. 4 7 e. tamed And corrupt desires are bridled restrained At his wil manifold gifts are distributed among the godly in the manifold divers discommodities molestations and miseries of this life the Holy Ghost with his secret consolation and with good hope doth asswage case and comfort the greifs and mournings of the godly which commonly are in this world most afflicted and whose sorrows do pass all humane consolation wherof He hath the true and proper name of Paraclet or the Comforter Finally by his power our Rom 8. 11. mortall bodies shall rise a live again Breifly whatsoever benefits are given us in 1 Cor 12. 4. 7. c. Christ all these we understand feel and receive by the work of the Holy Ghost Not unworthily therfore we put confidence and trust in the Author of so great gifts and do worship and call upon him M. Now remaineth the fourth part of the The fourth part of the Creed The Church Holy Catholick Church of the whieh I would heare what thou thinkest S. I will bring into few words that which the holy scriptures do hereof largly and plentifully declare Before that the Lord God made heaven and earth he determined to have to himself a certain most beautifull Kingdom and most holy Common-Wealth This his Apostles that Matth. 16 1â— wrote in Greek called Ecclesia by which interpreting the word may fitly be called a Congregation Into this as into his own City God did Incorporate an infinite multitude of men which must all Mat. 28. 19. Acts 2. 5 9. 1 Cor. 12 13. Eph. 5. 23 24. be subject serviceable and obedient to Christ their only King and which have all committed themselves to his protection and of whom he hath taken upon him to be Defender doth continually maintaine and preserve To this Common-Wealth do all they properly belong as Acts 14. 34 35. Rom. 2. 11. Gal. 6. 15 16. Col. 3. 11 12. c. many as truly feare honnor and call upon God altogether applying their minds to live holily and godly and which puting all ther trust and hope in God do most assuredly look for the blessedness of eternall life They that be steadfast and stable and constant in this faith were Mat. 16. 18. Rom. 8. 29 30. Ephe. 1. 4 5. Col 3. 12. Tit. 1. 1. Rom. 8 9. 15 16. 2 Cor 1. 22. 5. 5. Eph. 1. 13 14. 5. 10. chosen and appointed and as we term it predestinated to this great felicitie before the foundations of the world were laid whereof they have a witness within them in their souls the Spirit of Christ the Author and therewith also the most sure pledge of this confidence by the instinct of which Divine Spirit I do most assuredly perswade my self that I am also by Gods good gift through Christ freely made one of his blessed City M. It is sure a godly and very necessary perswasion Now therefore give me the definition of the Church that thou speakest off S. I may most briefly and truly say 1 Cor. 12. 27. Ephe. 1. 23. 5. 23. Col. 1. 24. 24. that the Church is the body of Christ M. Yea I would have it more plainly and at large S. The Church is the body of the Rom. 12. 5. 1 Cor. 12. 12. 20. 26. Ephe. 3. 9. Mat 25. 34. Ephe. 1. 4 5. 2 Thes 3. 13. Christian Common-weale that is the Universal number and fellowship of the faithful whom God through Christ hath before all beginning of time appointed to everlasting life M. Why is this Point put into the Creed S. Because if the Church were not both Christ had died without cause and all things which hath been hitherto spoken off should be in vaine and come to nothing M. How so S. Because hitherto we have spoken of the causes of salvation and have considered the foundations thereof namely how God by the deservings of CHRIST loveth us and dearely esteemeth us how also by the Work of the holy Ghost we receive this grace of God whereunto we are restored but of these this is the only effect that there be Mat. 16. 12. Acts 20. 28. 1 Cor. 12. 1â— 14. 12. 2 Col. 11. 28. a Church that is a Company of godly upon whom these benefits of God may be bestowed that there be a certain City and Common-weale in which he ought Eph. 3. 10 11. 21 5. 25. 1 Tim. 3. 15. to lay up and as it were to consecrate all we have and to give our selves wholly unto it and for which we ought not to stick to dye M. Why dost thou call this Church holy S. That by this mark it may be discerned Rom. 8. 29. 1 Cor. 14. 33. Ephe. 4 11. from the wicked Company of the ungodly for all those whom God hath chosen he hath restored to holiness of life and innoceny M. Is this holiness which thou dost attribute to the Church allready upright and in all poynts perfect S. Not yet for so long as we live a mortall life in this world such is the feeblenese and frailty of mankind we are of too weak strength wholly to shun Rom. 8. 26. 1 Cor. 13. 9. 11 12. 1 Cor 5. 9. all kind of vices therefore the holiness of the Church is not yet full and perfectly finished but yet very well begun but when it shall be fully joyned to Christ from whom she hath all her cleanness and pureness then shall she be cloathed with innocency and holiness in all poynts full 1 Cor 13. 10 11. 15 53. Ephe. 5. 26. and perfectly finished as with a certain Snowy white and pure garment M. To what purpose dost thou call this Church Catholike S. It is as much as if I called it Universal for this Company or Assâ—mbly of the godly is not pent up in any certain Mat. 2. 19. Act. 2 5 9. 10. 34 35. 1 Cor. 12. 13 14. place or time but it containeth and compriseth the universal number of the faithful that have lived and shall live in all places and Ages since the beginning of the world that there may be one body of the Church as there is one Christ the only Head of the body For whereas the Jewes claimed and chalenged to themselves Mat. 8 11. Eph. 2. 12. 13 14 c. 4. 4 5. c. the Church of God as peculiar and by lenial right due to their Nation and said it was theirs and held it to be only theirs the Christian Faith professeth that a great number and infinit multitude Acts 1. 8 2. 5 8 9. 10 35. Col. 3. 11. c. Ephe. 4 4 5. 5. 23. of godly persons gathered together out of all Countries of the world out of all parts of all Nations every